DISQUS

Shannon Swenson · 1 year ago

Thanks, I needed that. You gave me a fresh idea and it's already lead to solid lead. Wow.

Jenna Woodul · 1 year ago

Chris, what an inspiration to see a positive take on it all. Getting pulled down is too easy, provides excuses in spades. You remind me to stay focused, respect the good stuff, and keep thinking. Thanks!

Chad Richards · 1 year ago

You've done it again. Thanks for the tips! I especially like the Flickr idea - very clever!

Sarah Johnston · 1 year ago

Great post Chris! Been following you for a while now (reading the blog and enjoying your informative tweets) and your desire to help people out really shines through. I just wanted to say thanks for the heads up on so many wonderful blogs and useful nuggets of information. Cheers! Sarah

grechen · 1 year ago

brilliant. i started reading, then immediately went to refresh my linked in profile and re-connect. your words are powerful my friend :) thanks for the insight.

Danny Brown · 1 year ago

Couldn't agree more, Chris. It emphasizes something I've been saying for a long time - that social media is the model on which everything and anything can learn from.

Although it may still be in its infancy, it's already head and shoulders above more established mediums and thinking when it comes to sharing knowledge and genuine help with people.

Ryan Stephens · 1 year ago

Chris,

Thankfully I workout/run alot because I'm definitely keeping the soda companies in business staying up so late night after night "hustling," but then, that's what it's all about eh?

This is another great actionable post, particularly with so many people really seeking information like this right now.

I'm kind of like Seth Godin though, right now is the perfect opportunity to jump in and start taking risks. Now, more than ever, you need to be building your brand equity. Even with the economy in its current state, there's still opportunities (or you can make your own) out there for rockstars. There always will be.

ntho · 1 year ago

good stuff as always, chris. everyone I know (that's not online, of course ;) needs a fresh bowl of the "dont's" in this article.

MN Headhunter | Paul DeBettign · 1 year ago

Chris,

If I may be so bold, a few more thoughts for your readers:

-Optimize your LinkedIn profile so recruiters can find you. Include industry buzzwords and phrases.
-Do the same for your Twitter account. Include a link to personal web site or blog. No site? Link to your LinkedIn profile.
-If you are unemployed be sure to not only start what Chris has suggested and keep doing it after getting the new job.
-If you are employed do the suggested. Be proactive. Be easy to find.
-During the good times when us pesky recruiters call do not dismiss us. Make friends with us. We will remember the relationship if things go bad and you call.
-The whole economy does not suck. Not every state is in a recession. Not every industry is in panic.

Jorbins_Online · 1 year ago

"This is another great actionable post, particularly with so many people really seeking information like this right now."

Yeah this also was something I was thinking about the other day. Really came in good time.

Right now I think there is opportunity but ya gotta play your cards right.

Mary · 1 year ago

I especially like #21...a great reminder not to become paralyzed by bad news. Deal!

Paul · 1 year ago

So confident in social media I have just sold my half of a production company and starting Social Media biz. Great tips. As always great info. Thanks Chris.

Christopher Penn, Financial Ai · 1 year ago

Study. Study, study, study, so that you know not only what's going on in your industry, but what's happening in the broader economy. If you can spot trends and important items before anyone else, you'll know what's coming and how to adapt to it. Your suppliers and vendors will come to rely on you, rather than the other way around. Your customers will value you all the much more. And hey, if worse comes to worst, you'll be able to talk about something useful during the job interview...

adam · 1 year ago

Chris, I was doing some of your tips very intensively for some time, especially in social Media and quality link building, and this morning I've got a real business offer from totally opposite side of this planet. I was so very excited! Now, I'm going to slow down a bit to strengthen my social networking profiles, even more.

Tracy Needham · 1 year ago

Three more thoughts...

If you do find yourself out of work, send out Tweets or put in your Linked In status updates that you're looking for new opportunities--not every day but every couple days. People like to help. I know I've forwarded job openings I've seen to people who have done this. Then do the same when you have interviews--it keeps people posted and involved in your story.

Take your social networking offline when opportunities arise to go to Linked In Lives or Tweetups.

And (not so SM related) if you still have a job--apply now for a home equity line, overdraft line, business credit line or something that could provide a cushion if you should find yourself without a paycheck.

Tracy

Mary Kay Russell · 1 year ago

Awesome tips Chris! Thanks for the education!!!

Scott Hoffman · 1 year ago

Chris Great Post...the silver lining in this current economic crisis is Social Media. The importance of Social Media, in terms of how many minutes/hours a day people are using it has risen greatly in the last 5 years, and the category as a whole is experiencing a massive lift in usage over the last few weeks. This is due in large part to people proactively taking advantage of the Social Web to communicate, collaborate, and network. In an uncertain time when banks can fail, markets can falter, connections can be the most stable commodity! Thanks for the advice.

Jenni Hilton · 1 year ago

Thanks for the helpful tips. I have one to offer if you are laid off and searching for a job. Don't be afraid to temp - it gives you money in the short term, you meet new business connections and you get a chance to see a company's culture and decide if you are a good fit or not. In my experience, the companies I worked with were very supportive and helped me network.

Posting a resume on Craigslist also helps get the word out.

nudgeme · 1 year ago

Thanks for this really useful, positive list Chris, nice antidote to the non stop media gloom here in the UK. Although thankfully, some people are starting to realise (as some of your readers point out) that now is the time to jump on opportunities that perhaps others are too fearful to contemplate right now. As hard as it can seem, now's also a good time to stand back and take stock of what's really important and stay away as much as poss from the doom merchants.

Tumblemoose · 1 year ago

Hi Chris.

How do you do this? I mean, seriously. The amount of research and time just to put together the resources must be significant. Is it based on experience? Is it snippets of info from reading the blogosphere?

I guess I'd like to see a Yea-Me post from ya 'splaining how it is you work your magic.

Cheers.

George

Jason Egan · 1 year ago

Great comments here, Chris. Your 20th point on using your "spare" time in the evening to get a lot accomplished in terms of work outside your 8-5 job reminds me a lot of a couple of recent videos from Gary Vaynerchuck:

http://garyvaynerchuk.com/2008/09/23/my-web-20-...

http://garyvaynerchuk.com/2008/08/21/you-can-ha...

Saying that you don't have time to improve/create your personal brand or to create a new business is an excuse. One of Gary's best quotes here is, "stop F!%@ing watching Lost!"

Candi Sparks · 1 year ago

This was so helpful. It reinforced an idea for me - creating good relationships and networks can happen in an upswing or a downturn. Yet the value of the relationship will endure throughtout them all. So it really becomes about creating enduring value through relationships. Nice!
Candi

Tynisha Thompson · 1 year ago

Hi Chris,
This was so helpful. I've been a little lazy with Linkedin lately, but you've reminded me of some things. Going to crave out time to upgrade the profile and make connections.

sebastian · 1 year ago

Hey Chris, nice list! But, what about linking to your twitter profile at #3 instead of the lame twitter HP?

Cheers, sebastian

Brett Tilford · 1 year ago

good thoughts Chris. Now is definitely the time to engage rather than give up.

Nicholas Chase · 1 year ago

Hi Chris,

I understand Jim Kukral is helping Leon with his product launch, thank you for recommending Jim, he is the real deal.

On your post, I'm in that full-time blogging, part-time income slump right now, with a pending bankruptcy in January 2009.

Capital expenditures are down in my core skill set, Senior Technical Project Management for Google and others.....

Your advice is solid and honest, I will begin to apply these techniques today. Thank you for your clarity.

Respectfully, Nicholas 'the video guy' at BlogWorld Expo 2008

Jean Gogolin · 1 year ago

Good stuff, Chris; thanks! One more Do and one Don't from me:
The DO: If you're anywhere near Boston, attend IDEASBoston at the end of October. (Google it.) I went to the first one last year and it was a wonderful mind expander. Brilliant people all.

The DON't: Tempting as it is, don't get obsessed with Sarah P. I'm fighting this one myself, and clearly that way lies madness.

Rob Metras · 1 year ago

Great contribution Chris. If we watched CNN and MSNBC the world would be ending rather than a recession starting. The prime thing to do is remember that every crisis or problem is an opportunity. Like the market- for every seller there is a buyer.Social media is like the old fence you talked over...now you can have millions of fences.

Chel · 1 year ago

Yes, someone mentioned LinkedIN but I saw the photo and that's all I could think about. If you are looking for a job buff up your LinkedIN profile. If you are looking for company advice a good place to find it is LinkedIN answers. Lots of good people willing to answer questions and give advice to others who are worried about staying afloat.

I linked to a few of them in my post today. It's also a good way to build a network, subscribe to the answers that best match the category where you can give useful answers and take a few minutes to go through them twice a day and give answers. Helping people will make you feel better *and* help them make better decisions with great information.

pamslim · 1 year ago

Fan-freaking-tastic advice Chris!

The more time that this horrible economy rubbernecking goes on, the more I am seeing a few people quietly but powerfully pulling forward and putting their careers/businesses on high gear.

In the meantime, everyone is huddled around the water cooler, watching how many points the stock market is dropping today.

I love being proactive. And staying scared does nothing but breed paralysis.

Thanks for sharing!

-Pam

genieyclo · 1 year ago

Awesome list Chris, as usual.

Nicky · 1 year ago

Chris - Can we have you on the news instead of the doom-and-gloom talking heads? All they've done is whip up what's now become a self-fulfilling prophecy. They're having a field day.

To your points...Only yesterday I started on 11, 12 and 13 - nice confirmation.And my business is going into overdrive.

May I add few more suggestions... choose your attitude and your thoughts. Thoughts are powerful and fearful thoughts attract nothing but fear - and paralysis. Success thoughts attract success. We DO attract what we dwell on. (Yes, the Law of Attraction is alive and well. I know it.

Visualise what you want. Every day. In detail. Even 7 minutes/day does wonders. Meditate. And Take Action - every day. Get together with like-minded success oriented people, or a Mastermind group. Or start one. And as far as possible avoid turning on the news...it's like quicksand, it sucks you down.

Carol Morgan · 1 year ago

Great post Chris... All practical and usable advice.... I find myself filtering out the incessant negative news and surprisingly I am able to focus on my business and be more productive….. As a small business owner I have to stay focused and optimistic.

Twitter ID: TheLookHandM

Carlos R Hernandez · 1 year ago

Chris,

Your post hightlights the range of services I am providing to Baby-Boomers who desire to be tech savvy, i.e. apply new tools to foster their job/career search.

Great to meet you at BlogWorld too.

Rachel Fienberg · 1 year ago

Linkedin was included with 2 sites into About.com's Top 10 employment site list. Linkedin is still the only social network on the top 10 list though -

www.linkedin.com (professional networking)
www.indeed.com (aggregated listings)
www.realmatch.com (matches you to the perfect job)

Complete top 10 job site list here:
http://jobsearch.about.com/od/joblistings/tp/jo...

Conference Coordinator · 1 year ago

Some great points, particularly great when you see things that you may have overlooked and it makes a light go on in yer head.

Ethan Gardner · 1 year ago

Good advice, Chris. I noticed that I have been subconsciously following a lot of the advice in your post, especially the "3 hours of future planning" by writing and adding some more polish to my online profiles. Unemployment can stressful enough, but it's always best to be prepared.

Devin · 1 year ago

You're right. With the economy in a slump now is the time to stop fearing, stop complaining, and stop procrastinating. Get proactive. Setup an online business, update your profiles, find something someone wants and needs and go for it. With most people hunkering down in the fox holes, you can come out and make it happen. With people scared to start businesses, people afraid to expand and grow their business, not is your chance. Why not start online where overhead and startup costs are minimal, and there are great resources everywhere to help you succeed.

Brent Harrison · 1 year ago

Thanks Chris for the great and practical tips!

Ed Walker · 1 year ago

Chris, great post. But on the googling point, what if you've got a really generic name like mine - 'Ed Walker' - it's hard to get up there in google terms? I'm currently on page 6 after four months.

Liz · 1 year ago

What's #25? Or is the blank space meant to speak for itself ("nothing")?

chrisbrogan · 1 year ago

That's for a write-in answer. : )

Kevin Jobs · 6 months ago

Excellent Information Chris, Some of the ideas stated I have implemented to good effect, Offering Job Services can be a good option for those prepaired to put in the time and effort, given the global market.

cash flow investing · 5 months ago

still holds true today. Thanks for an excellent post with proactive results that are as valid today as ever